Ford adding diesel engine, other features to F-150

For the first time, Ford is offering a diesel engine on its F-150 pickup

DETROIT — For the first time, Ford is offering a diesel engine on its F-150 pickup.

The change is one of several coming for America's best-selling pickup in the 2018 model year. The revamped truck goes on sale this fall, with the diesel option following in the summer of 2018.

The F-150 is just two years into a revolutionary change. In 2015, Ford started making the truck's body out of aluminum to save weight and increase fuel economy. A few months ago, the company introduced a new 10-speed transmission for the truck.

The frequent updates show what a crucial vehicle the F-150 is for Ford, says Karl Brauer, the senior director of content at Cox Automotive. The F-150 has been the nation's best-selling truck since 1977. Last year, Ford sold more than 820,000 F-Series pickup trucks; that's 93 trucks every hour.

"They're not even going to remotely keep it from being competitive," Brauer said.

Ford Motor. Co offers diesel versions of its heavy-duty pickups, but hasn't so far on the F-150. Todd Eckert, Ford's truck marketing manager, said customers were asking for a diesel to improve towing capacity. Diesel engines are also more efficient, which will help Ford meet rising fuel economy standards.

Ford also needed a diesel for competitive reasons. The Nissan Titan and Ram 1500 pickups added diesels in the last few years, and Fiat Chrysler says diesels now make up 10 to 15 percent of its Ram sales.

Ford won't say what percent of F-150 sales it expects to be diesels. It also won't reveal projected fuel economy.

The new truck will still be aluminum-sided, but each trim level will have a new grille that looks wider and more horizontal than the current one. A big "F-150" will now be stamped into the tailgate. There are also new wheel designs.

In addition to the 3.0-liter diesel, engine choices include a new 3.3-liter V6 and upgraded versions of Ford's 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 and 5.0-liter V8. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 released this year will also be available.

Ford has added optional safety features, including automatic braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic. The new truck will also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices.

Ford showed off the truck Monday at the North American International Auto Show. It will be made at plants in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City, Missouri.